Argentina are set to take on Colombia in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, 11 June, with the hosts now confirmed as the winners of the South American qualifying group.
No other side in South America has come close to the levels reached by Argentina throughout the qualifying campaign, and they will already be thinking about how they are going to defend their world title in the USA next summer.
Colombia, meanwhile, are still looking to guarantee qualification for the tournament. With three games to go, they occupy the final automatic qualification spot but only lead Venezuela by three points.
As part of this week's round of World Cup qualifying betting tips, here is our Argentina vs Colombia prediction.
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Argentina vs Colombia prediction: Business as usual for the hosts
Key stats
- Argentina have won their last five matches.
- Colombia have failed to win any of their last five matches (two draws, three losses).
- Fewer than three goals have been scored in four of Argentina's last five matches.
Correct score prediction: Argentina 2-0 Colombia
Argentina have had an excellent qualifying campaign and have been playing without pressure for a number of games now after securing World Cup qualification last year. Colombia, meanwhile, are on the verge of throwing qualification away and their form isn't nearly good enough to worry Argentina.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Argentina start as odds-on favourites
- HOME: 7/10 (1.70) – 58.8%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- AWAY: 4/1 (5.00) – 20%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Argentina vs Colombia odds are a little surprising in that the hosts are priced a little longer than we were expecting, which boosts the value on our tip of Argentina to win to nil. Ladbrokes have given Argentina 58.8% chance of winning the match, while Colombia have been given a 20% chance of victory.
Most recent H2Hs: Plenty of tight matches
There have been plenty of close matches between Argentina and Colombia in recent times, with three of the last five finishing level after 90 minutes. Although Argentina ultimately ended up winning two of those three matches via a penalty shootout, it does illustrate that Colombia have found a way to match their superior opponents in recent clashes.
South America - World Cup Qualifying 10/09/24
Colombia
Argentina
Copa America 15/07/24
Argentina
Colombia
South America - World Cup Qualifying 01/02/22
Argentina
Colombia
Copa America 07/07/21
Argentina
Colombia
South America - World Cup Qualifying 09/06/21
Colombia
Argentina
Argentina preview: A chance to experiment?
With top spot now safely secured, there is a chance that manager, Lionel Scaloni, could use their remaining three qualifiers to experiment with his squad. Alternatively, he may just use these games as an opportunity to try and find out what his starting XI will be at the World Cup next summer.
Predicted Lineup: E. Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, De Paul, Fernandez, Paredes, Messi, L.Maritnez, Alvarez
South America - World Cup Qualifying 26/03/25
W Brazil 1 Argentina 4 South America - World Cup Qualifying 21/03/25
W Uruguay 0 Argentina 1 South America - World Cup Qualifying 20/11/24
W Peru 0 Argentina 1 South America - World Cup Qualifying 14/11/24
L Paraguay 2 Argentina 1 South America - World Cup Qualifying 16/10/24
W Bolivia 0 Argentina 6
Colombia preview: Can they afford to lose?
With the gap between themselves and Venezuela now just three points, Colombia will be well aware that their final match in the qualifiers is against Venezuela and could therefore be a shootout for the World Cup. To prevent that from happening, they are going ot need to pick up points in their next two matches.
Predicted Lineup: Vargas (GK), Munoz, Mina, Lucumi, Machado, Rios, Lerma, Asprilla, Diaz, Duran, Rodriguez
South America - World Cup Qualifying 26/03/25
D Paraguay 2 Colombia 2 South America - World Cup Qualifying 21/03/25
L Brazil 2 Colombia 1 South America - World Cup Qualifying 19/11/24
L Ecuador 1 Colombia 0 South America - World Cup Qualifying 16/11/24
L Uruguay 3 Colombia 2 South America - World Cup Qualifying 15/10/24
W Chile 0 Colombia 4 
Player to watch: Lionel Messi
He may now be 37 years old, but whenever Lionel Messi is on the pitch, he is still the man to watch due to the magic he is still capable of. Of course, he isn't the player he once was, but he still produces special moments regularly enough to warrant this place in the Argentina starting XI and will be looking to torment Colombia.